Walk of Peace

From June 2007, the most prominent remains and memorials of the Isonzo Front in the Upper Soča region have been connected into the Walk of Peace. It is dedicated to the memory of the multitude of casualties of the First World War. Its purpose is to present to visitors the cultural-historical points of interest and natural amenities of the Upper Soča region.

Visitors center the Walk of Peacein Kobarid offers new interactive exhibition of The Walk of Peace, which is free of charge.

It starts at Log pod Mangart, at the entrance to the mine shaft called Štoln, and it ends with the outdoor museum on Mengore hill near Most na Soči.

It is divided to five sections of different lengths and difficulty levels. During the tour it is possible to stay overnight in the settlements where the sections either start or end, and also in the mountain hut on the alp Kuhinja. The Walk of Peace is extra marked. It mainly runs along the existing mountain and tourist paths. For those who would like to extend their visit, the Walk can be the point of departure for more demanding tours to the nearby mountains.

SECTION I: LOG POD MANGARTOM – KAL KORITNICAThe first section runs in the Bovec area with its start at Log pod Mangartom. The path runs past the picturesque pools of the Nemčlja and the Koritnica, the Fortification Kluže, the church of St. Leonard, the Austro-Hungarian military cemetery, the outdoor museum Ravelnik, to the outdoor museum Čelo above Kal-Koritnica. It is the less- to medium demanding section since its total vertical drop amounts but to 250 metres.

SECTION II: KAL KORITNICA – DREŽNICA – KOBARIDThe second section is more demanding, since the path first descends from Kal–Koritnica to the pools of the Soča and then ascends to the 1257-metre-high alp Golobar. Across the saddle Čez Utro the Walk of Peace continues towards the outdoor museum Zaprikraj, and further on to Drežnica and along the old road from Drežnica to Kobarid. This section has all the features of mountain trekking.

SECTION III: KOBARID – MRZLI VRH – TOLMIN This section is the longest and also the most demanding, therefore it is recommended to do it in two days and spend a night in the mountain hut on the alp Kuhinja. The Walk of Peace runs from Kobarid around the hill Ladrski vrh towards Drežnica, and from there to the Italian military chapel on Planica hill and onward to the mountain hut on the alp Kuhinja. It continues towards the 1359-metre-high Mt. Mrzli vrh, on the slope of which the outdoor museum is arranged. From Mt. Mrzli vrh the path descends past the alps Pretovč, Medrje and Laška seč to Javorca plateau, to the Austro-Hungarian church of the Holy Spirit. From there the Walk continues along the macadam road towards the Austro-Hungarian military cemetery Loče near Tolmin

SECTION IV: TOLMIN – GERMAN CHARNEL HOUSE – MENGORE

This section is the shortest and the least demanding, since the total walking time is but 3–4 hours. The path runs from Tolmin to the confluence of the Soča and the Tolminka, and the German charnel house. The macadam road which runs along the Soča and past the Tolmin cemetery joins the main road Kobarid – Tolmin. After crossing the bridge across the Soča, the Walk of Peace turns left towards Mengore hill, on the slope of which the outdoor museum is arranged.

SECTION V: KOBARID – KOLOVRAT – MENGOREThe fifth section of the Walk of Peace can also be made as a very interesting biking tour, since it mainly runs along the asphalt roads. From Kobarid to the ridge of Kolovrat the path continuously ascends up to the height of 1115 metres (Na Gradu), where the transborder outdoor museum is located. From the ridge of Kolovrat the Walk of Peace descends to the valley of the Kamenica and to Volče. Bikers continue along the road to the pass of Poljance (between Kozaršče and Most na Soči), where the entry point is for the visit to the outdoor museum Mengore. The trekking path continues towards the Soča and joins the section IV under the bridge.

THE WALK OF PEACE FROM THE ALPS TO THE ADRIATIC

The Walk of Peace interconnects the areas and people and rich cultural and natural heritage along the onetime Isonzo Front. It is a memorial to all who suffered in the time of the 1st World War and a warning against wars which should never happen again. Above all it promotes the value of peace and the opportunities for common development.Numerous remains have been left behind the front which are now perfectly restored and maintained through the efforts of various institutions and societies. Military cemeteries, caves, trenches, charnel houses, chapels, monuments, outdoor museums and other memorials – are part of significant material and non-material heritage of European history. Their testimony, mood and stories form the spine of today's Walk of Peace from the Julian Alps to the Adriatic.

The Walk is uniformly marked, suitable for hikers and bikers. Major places worth seeing are also accessible by car or bus. The Walk of Peace is a right choice for everyone who wishes to spend their leisure time actively, experience magnificent views and beauties of nature, learn about history and culture, meet the locals, experience the lifestyle of today and taste delicious local food. Recommended are guided tours, with local tourist guides.

Infoflash:

The mountain hut on the alp Kuhinja is open every day in the summer season (15 June – 15 September) and weekends only out of the season.